Most random encounter with ISU athlete?
- Thread starter BikeSkiClone
- Start date
Not exactly random, but Tim Sanders was on my bowling class team at ISU and we won the tournament (and DoBiz cookie coupons - how's that for a throwback?). I decided to look him up and it seems he was a hero recently:
http://abc7chicago.com/3-girls-honored-for-helping-nab-burglars/2270360/
http://abc7chicago.com/3-girls-honored-for-helping-nab-burglars/2270360/
I have to have the most random encounter with a former ISU player ever. I ran into former Iowa State RB Mike Williams at the Gruis Recreational Area in Winnebago County in Iowa back in the 70s.
For those of you who don't remember, Williams was one of the Ws in Iowa State's WW Express backfield, the other being Jim Wingender.
I don't know where Williams was from originally, but I know it wasn't lily white Winnebago County in far northern Iowa. And Gruis is about as remote a place as you can find to run into someone semi-famous. It's out in the country. They made the golf course after some farmer donated his farm to the county in his will. The old barn was turned into the clubhouse. It's not near any town, really.
I recognized Williams right away and introduced myself. I don't know how I recognized him because that was back in the days when not a lot of games were on TV so there was not a lot of opportunity to know what the players looked like, especially in football, where helmets make recognition even tougher. He said he was there for some promotional deal, but I was unclear what he was promoting.
For those of you who don't remember, Williams was one of the Ws in Iowa State's WW Express backfield, the other being Jim Wingender.
I don't know where Williams was from originally, but I know it wasn't lily white Winnebago County in far northern Iowa. And Gruis is about as remote a place as you can find to run into someone semi-famous. It's out in the country. They made the golf course after some farmer donated his farm to the county in his will. The old barn was turned into the clubhouse. It's not near any town, really.
I recognized Williams right away and introduced myself. I don't know how I recognized him because that was back in the days when not a lot of games were on TV so there was not a lot of opportunity to know what the players looked like, especially in football, where helmets make recognition even tougher. He said he was there for some promotional deal, but I was unclear what he was promoting.
I was purchasing food from the philly stand on Welch several years ago with my girlfriend at the time when there was some commotion in our general vicinity and I watched a guy run in and sucker punch another. The initial melee broke towards us and I grabbed the gf and moved her out of harm’s way. I then turned to the scuffle, the sucker puncher took off and I grabbed the guy who was punched as he was about to chase after the attacker. It was BDJ and I just said quickly “it’s not worth it”. He kinda shrugged me off but did not continue the chase. I think he might have only listened because he had not yet played a game here and recognized that I knew who he was (called him by name when I saw who it was) and why I thought it wasn’t worth it. We returned to purchasing our food and as we walked back toward Lincoln Way, I saw Jameel hastily making his way toward where we left Bryce. Somewhat ironic, I suppose. RIP.
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During the tailgate tour in Okoboji my son just walked on the bus to get Fred's autograph as he got on the bus as soon as he gor done speaking. Believe he was talking to a recruit on the phone. Fred was impressed as my son was I think 6 or 7 at that time.
Also run into Loren Myer often. Pizza Ranch a couple weeks ago and he used to be at Bullys in Ruthven quiet often.
Also run into Loren Myer often. Pizza Ranch a couple weeks ago and he used to be at Bullys in Ruthven quiet often.
I graduated from ISU in 86 and bounced around eastern Iowa and Missouri for about 10 years before moving back to central Iowa. Wife drug me to Von Maur in Valley West Mall one of the first weekends we were back. During this soul crushing outing I noticed another guy nearby who seemed to be experiencing a similar outing. He smiled, gave me a knowing look then we both moved along with our wives a short time later. He was a familiar face but because of where I was I didn’t make the connection until a short time later. To this day I’m still upset I didn’t realize it was Pete Taylor. Missed opportunity to meet and chat with a legend.
Not an ISU big name but it happened at ISU:
I had a lecture in the big lecture hall in Curtiss Hall so I used to go in through the back stairwell in the southeast corner to avoid all of the traffic. One day I walked through the parking lot and opened the door to be greeted by several black suited Secret Service agents. I thought I was going to get tackled. I had managed to run into presidential candidate and sitting VPOTUS George H. W. Bush as he was leaving the building. We exchanged quick hellos as they whisked him away.
That was the start of my streak of meeting or at least being in the same room with each U.S. President. I have yet to extend that streak with our current POTUS.
I had a lecture in the big lecture hall in Curtiss Hall so I used to go in through the back stairwell in the southeast corner to avoid all of the traffic. One day I walked through the parking lot and opened the door to be greeted by several black suited Secret Service agents. I thought I was going to get tackled. I had managed to run into presidential candidate and sitting VPOTUS George H. W. Bush as he was leaving the building. We exchanged quick hellos as they whisked him away.
That was the start of my streak of meeting or at least being in the same room with each U.S. President. I have yet to extend that streak with our current POTUS.
I went to college the same years as Georges Niang. My friends roommate was um... "night time friends" with Georges.. and Naz.
Lol
Tinsley backed out into a friend’s car at Target. Team must have been good for the body shops in town.
A few years ago I was buying deodorant at the Ames Wal Mart. I look up and make eye contact with Georges Niang. He was holding women's deodorant in his hand. I looked down, then back up again, and he smiles and says "Don't judge".
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Seneca Wallace at the Mall of America in Minneapolis when the Seahawks were in town to play the Vikings. We were in town to go to the game and ran into him at a sports store.
About 8 years ago or so my wife and I were at the Highlife Lounge and I'm up at the bar trying to snag a couple of Grainbelts when this big in wearing a blazer squeezes his way up to the bar. I look over and Howard Eaton is towering over me. So I fire him a "Howard Eaton! Whats up!" He just looks at me and goes sup baby and that's pretty much the end of our conversation. I wanted to tell him that the blazer t-shirt combo was bad on it's own but electing to wear his chain on the outside of his shirt may have been a little too much.
He used to work at one of the jewelers in the Merle Hay Mall. Not long after his playing days, I was looking for a necklace for my wife, and he was there. Didn't help me, but was with another customer.
This has been a long time ago and makes me feel old
Not random, but this was comical...
Back for a basketball game a couple years ago. Leave the game and immediately head to welch, first stop AJ's for some beers. When we walk in, Nader and BDJ are standing at the counter rippin shots with the owner. (Still dont know how they beat us there) As we walk in, they give us the deer in the headlights look...awkward silence...and then we all started laughed together and had a shot. Buddy of mine asked for a photo after, and BDJ was like for sure....lets maybe move away from the bottle on the counter tho? Good call boys.
RIP BDJ
Back for a basketball game a couple years ago. Leave the game and immediately head to welch, first stop AJ's for some beers. When we walk in, Nader and BDJ are standing at the counter rippin shots with the owner. (Still dont know how they beat us there) As we walk in, they give us the deer in the headlights look...awkward silence...and then we all started laughed together and had a shot. Buddy of mine asked for a photo after, and BDJ was like for sure....lets maybe move away from the bottle on the counter tho? Good call boys.
RIP BDJ
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Took a flight out of DSM on Sunday after the TCU game. I sit next to an older couple. He sees my ISU gear and says something about "they honored me and my guys at the game yesterday." Then, the light bulb goes on. It is Johnny Majors. So, we talk ISU football for a while. And then he starts griping (football coach voice) about there not being a Sports section in the newspaper from the hotel. I tell him I have an online subscription, so he reads the Register Sports section on my laptop, grunting and pointing when he wants me to scroll up or down. But he keeps griping (football coach voice) about not having the Sports section to take with him. I end up sending him the whole weekend's worth of Ames Tribunes and DM Registers. It was an awesome privilege.
I used to work with the kid that was assaulted. He was kind of a mouthy ass. But I also heard that Espinoza used to go out at night looking for trouble with a couple of his linemen. He would pick fights and then let his huge buddies finish them. I never witnessed this myself so I don't know if it is true.
A buddy and I are stumbling into the dorms our freshman year late at night. Go through the bottom floor doors to get an elevator. Standing in the lobby is a girl that went to high school with my buddy and my (now) wife. We ask "What are you doing down here so late?" She replies "I'm waiting to let someone in." We don't think much of it and click the elevator button. Someone knocks on the door... Craig Brackins...
Most awkward elevator ride ever.
Most awkward elevator ride ever.
